Final instalment for buying land released, work on Bareilly Airport to begin soon

Work on the much-awaited civilian airport project is expected to begin soon, as the final instalment of around Rs 8 crore has been released for the purchase of land earmarked for the civil enclave. A fund of Rs 60 crore has been sanctioned for purchasing of land required for the purpose, of which Rs 53 crore has been released and spent on buying the land for the project.

The project has been in the pipeline for over 10 years dur to initital challenges because of opposition from farmers. Earlier, Airports Authority of India (AAI) had planned the airport to be spread over 10 hectare, which was later increased to 14.4 hectare. Of the total 14.4 hectare required, 13.4 hectare were private property and the remaining area come under the gram sabha.

Following the state government's approval, in March 2015, to purchase land from farmers, a registry of land belonging to farmers was made in April this year. Earlier, the administration had spent Rs 54 crore, sanctioned by the state government, to acquire land from local farmers for the airport project. Another proposal of Rs 3 crore would be mooted to make this additional purchase.

AAI officials recently visited the city to take physical possession of the land and reportedly indicated that work on construction of a boundary wall will soon begin. As per reports, the modalities of the project are being finalised at the AAI-end. And, it is known that after physical possession of the land for the project, a team will be arriving for inspection related to construction of a boundary wall.